can I replace my tailgate with...

[76k5grrl]

I have a 76 GMC K5. It has a tailgate with a roll-up window in- someone was trying to "work on it" before me and all the guts are exposed... I got to thinking, I don't ever ever roll up that window and I plan to sell the hard top and replace with a soft top- or just go topless- anyway.

Can I replace that tailgate with just a plain old truck tailgate- no window? Anyone know if there is a window-less tailgate that will fit my K5??

 

[ryoken]

any pickup 73 to 87...

you'll need the trunion and link assembly that bolts to the c-post too..



http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=30

 

[76k5grrl]

thank you, sir!! I was hoping so.

 

[byggyns]

Now, if you have the manual window tailgate, there are often guys looking for one to replace the power ones. Once you do the swap, you should list it on the classified section of the forum.

 

[cuervo]

You could always just gut it and weld a piece of 18 metal over the window opening.

 

[wilpetty]

If you dont need the inside handle anymore I would buy that assembly

 

[76k5grrl]

I do have the manual- near as I can tell it only cranks halfway up, and the guts are all loosey-goosey, making it hard to open the tailgate sometimes...

 

[82355]

I do have the manual- near as I can tell it only cranks halfway up, and the guts are all loosey-goosey, making it hard to open the tailgate sometimes...

If it's not rusted out, it is rebuildable and better than what a lot of us have. I imagine you could sell it fairly easy, or trade it straight across for a good tail gate.

Martin

 

[82355]

Here is a picture of my 1990 K5 with a tail gate off of a 1976 K10.

Here is a picture of it folded down.

Martin

 

[muddermilitia]

Thread revival, I picked up all the hardware needed for this conversion 2 weeks ago. Once I have the gate painted, I'm ready to swap. My question is, when you go to take the old gate off how do you remove the spring mechanism? Should the gate be in the fully closed position when you remove that part?

 

[badmix]

I took my spring out in the down position. I have a custom bumper and couldnt use it underneith, where it attached. Not a big deal but funny when I open/close a "normal" tailgate, it feels like nothing, compared to having to lower mine "manually"

Those springs are small, but wait til you see how much they actually help.

 

[meanboyjr]

I took my spring out in the down position. I have a custom bumper and couldnt use it underneith, where it attached. Not a big deal but funny when I open/close a "normal" tailgate, it feels like nothing, compared to having to lower mine "manually"

Those springs are small, but wait til you see how much they actually help.

+1. The PO removed the springs on the tailgate on my rig, and it's pretty damn heavy to lift without them.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have to get under mine to close it. I cut the frame off to weld the bumper close to the body. So no springs.